Whether it’s part time for extra cash or full time to replace your 9 to 5, I’m here to tell you it’s achievable.

We’ve seen many of our customers build an entire business around the use of the ribbon printer. Either they print ribbon for others, and/or they customize products they make or sell with personalized messages, logos or photos.

It's Thanksgiving time! Here in northern Illinois the leaves have now fallen and the first snowflakes have been spotted. Just like it is supposed to be as we enter the full blown holiday season.

At the office, we are geared up to assist you with any ribbon printing needs you have. Run out of product? We're staffed to make sure we can turn your order around right away. In most cases the day you place it. Need assistance with your printer? Feel free to call or email sales@theribbonprintcompany.com.

We'll be keeping an extra eye out for those needing help so you don't get backed up with your orders. And now ... a very important message and some holiday entertainment for you. If you're a customer, you may see yourself here. If you're new to this site, it gives you a peek into our culture. Either way, we wish you all a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving.

What trade shows will you be at next year that we should consider attending? I'm working up the schedule now so let me know in the comments section.

GIBs - Girls in Business. That's what we call our group. It is one of the most valuable "go-to" resources that I have for my business. Let me tell you about the GIBs and how you can have your very own.

My GIB group consists of four women. We all own our businesses but have also worked outside our current industry. That means we each bring more knowledge than just from our immediate endeavors. As a group we have skills in sales, marketing, consulting, human resources, education and research. We are or have been in the travel, orthodonics, medical, media, publishing, organizing, advertising and gifting industries.

I know a good thing when I see one. This program in particular, is perfect for smaller independent shops, home based businesses and those who don't want to run through their monthly advertising budget with just one program yet get results and find new customers.

In my corporate life I was a direct marketing consultant leading national projects for such companies as McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Osco Drug. My sales team also worked with numerous smaller businesses. So ins and outs of the post office and various mailing programs are not new to me.

The ribbon printing industry has been in need of a sophisticated and reliable software program for some time now. One where your creativity can flow without interruption and designing can be completed quickly and easily.

I took on the challenge and I'm proud to say it now exists ... and Made In America too! Here's the story behind its development.

What if you could instantly boost the impact of your brand? Today and without spending a single cent?

It's so simple but so often missed. If you communicate through multiple channels you can power them up to ignite your brand. Do you have a website ... and a Facebook Page ... and a YouTube Channel ... then this is for you.

Like the game Tug of War. If you're alone on one side of the rope pulling to get your opponent moving towards you to cross the line so you win ... how much more "pull" would you have if you had more people on your side? So it is if you look at each of your channels individually. But group them together and it's Power Time!

Here's how:

Now that you know, it's time to take action. Commit to doing this today by commenting in the section below. Or if you're already Powered Up, I want to know that too!

See how to do multi-color printing using a thermal ribbon printer. You wouldn't want to do this for logos, but it can be done for other types of designs. This video shows you everything you need to know about this option.

The great thing about our Design & Print™ software is that you can do so much with it. The bad thing about our Design & Print™ software is that you can do so much with it and get carried away into creative nirvana!

I love that people are spending time designing very cool ribbons - like Linda down in Florida. Her creative talent and complexity produced a problem that in turn sparked an idea and solution we can all use. This tool is FREE and useful for more than just ribbon printing. Take a look.

If you don't believe me, watch what people do when they pass a retail display with any item that has names on it. You know, the circular displays of small license name plates, mugs, keychains, etc. People can't resist the urge to stop and look to see if their name is there.

You may even be guilty of it yourself. There is something irresistible about seeing your name in print. It always amazes and entertains me when I'm at a trade show demonstrating the Ribbon Print machine. We give out samples showing name customization with an attendee's name.